In her third year in UAAP women’s basketball action, University of the East Lady Warriors big Eunique Chan is starting to leave a lasting imprint for her team.
She may not the tallest or most physically imposing of all centers in the competition, but Chan uses all of her heft to size up against the rest of the league’s towering figures.
The last two meetings haven’t been an easy task for her, going up against Far Eastern University’s Clare Castro and National University’s Jack Danielle Animam and Rheena Itesi — centers who are all a good five inches taller than her.
Against University of Santo Tomas, Chan was again engaged in a duel with one of the league’s strongest athletes in Maica Cortes.
How Chan was able to hold her own against those names, she says, is just sheer dedication and hard work while on the floor.
“We are just thankful na kinaya namin ang UST. Pagdating namin, alam naming battle talaga ang kakaharapin namin,” Chan said during the aftermath of UE’s 75-65 win over the Tigresses.
“Yung makakatapat ko, si Maica, pinaghandaan ko. Alam ko na malakas siya at mas maraming experience, pero tinake ko as a challenge paano siya mabe-beat at kung paano kami as a team sila mabe-beat.”
Chan topscored for UE in that affair with a hulking double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds on 70 percent shooting.
Cortes in contrast struggled, going 5-for-15 from the field although she did have 12 points and 11 boards.
In her last three outings, Chan is averaging 17 points and 9 rebounds. She does not mind the stiff competition, but is rather focused on how to improve day after day.
“Ang sabi lang sa amin i-enjoy ang game at kumuha ng experience for the next games. ‘Yung may madadala kaming natutunan,” she shared.
“Lahat kami nagpu-push lang and kung sino man ang nasa first five, dapat pagtrabahuhan. Everyone sa amin nagtatrabaho lang every game.”
The Lady Warriors tote a 3-3 card and are bent on making the Final Four. They may not have the tallest of frontlines, but they can sure count on Chan to make an impact every game.
She’s one tough interior presence who is holding her ground against the league’s giants.
